California, mad dogs, and rail-roads are still the great topics here as everywhere. About half a dozen are gone and going to California from Concord. Mr Hoar’s second son Edward, who was a lawyer in New York, has just taken leave of his friends here to go to the new Ophir. Many are going from the neighborhood of Boston of whom one would not have expected it. For my part, I should rather have gone before the gold was found. I think that those who have delayed thus long will be prudent if they wait a little longer and hear from their acquaintances who went out early. It is impossible yet to tell what is truth. After all we have had no quite trustworthy and available report yet. We shall have some rich stories to read a year or two hence.

  I am interested in George’s progress in Engineering. I should say let him begin with Algebra at once, and soon, or at the same time, if convenient, take up Geometry—it is all important that he be well grounded in this. In due time will come Trigonometry & Nat. Philosophy—A year hence he might profitably commence Surveying. I talked lately with Samuel Felton, Chief Engineer and Superintendent of the Fitchburg RR, and brother of Prof. Felton of Cambridge, with reference to George. He considers “Davies’ Surveying”—a West Point book—the best. This is the one I used in teaching Surveying eight or nine years ago. It is quite simple & thorough—and to some extent national or American.

  I would have George study without particular reference to the Scientific School and so he will be best prepared to suck its whole me at in the shortest time—

  There is “Bigelows Technology” a popular and not expensive book in 2 vols. used, recently at least, at Cambridge. I am sure that i t will interest him if he has a taste for mechanics. He never need study it, but only read it from time to time, as study and practice make it more intelligible. This is one of the best books for him to own that I know of. There is a great deal of interesting & valuable matter for his or any body’s reading in the Penny Magazine—the best periodical of the kind that was ever printed.

  In the mean time he should improve his opportunities to visit machine shops of all kinds. It should be a part of every man’s education today to understand the Steam Engine. What right has a man to ride in the cars who does not know by what means he is moved? Every man in this age of the world may and should understand pretty thoroughly—the Saw and Grist mill—Smelting—casting—and working in iron—cotton and woolen machinery—the locomotive & rail-road—the Steamboat—the telegraph &c &cA man can learn from a few hours of actual inspection what he can never learn from books—and yet if he has not the book-knowledge to generalize & illuminate his particulars he will never be more than a journeyman & cannot reach the head of his profession.

  I lately spent a day at the repair shop of the Eastern RR. company, East Boston, and at Hinckley & Drury’s in Boston—the largest Locomotive manufactory in this country. They turn out 7 a month worth from 8 to 9000 dollars apiece. I went into it, and knowing the principle before, saw and understood the use of every wheel & screw, so that I can build an engine myself when I am ready. I now read every paragraph in which the word locomotive occurs with greater interest and profit than before.

  I have no news to send respecting Helen—She is about the same that she has been for some months, though it may be a little weaker, as she thinks; Her spirits are very good and she is very comfortable for a sick person. Sophia & Mother would perchance be sick if Helen were not.

  I look wishfully towards the woods of Maine, but as yet I feel confined here.

  Please remember me to Rebecca Jane?? Cousins Charles & Mary &c — yrs truly

  Henry D. Thoreau

—I have just received your letter for which I thank you. I should be glad to come to Bangor.—I hope that I shall so conduct as to deserve your good wishes—Excuse my business like scroll.